Huskers Compete at Stanford Invitational

PALO ALTO, Calif.--The Nebraska men’s and women’s track and field teams kicked off their outdoor seasons Friday at the Stanford Invitational. Husker hurdlers stole the spotlight on the first day of competition, with NU athletes winning both the men’s and women’s 400-meter hurdle events.

 

Sophomore Sheryl Morgan won her first outdoor competition as a Husker with a time of 61.17 in the women’s 400-meter hurdles. Morgan finished nearly a second faster than the next collegiate competitior, Wichita State’s Tasha Gallegos (third place), while she defeated second-place Skye Green of Beach Track Club by 0.53.

 

Nebraska won gold and bronze in the men’s event, with junior Andy Nelson finishing first in 51.39, only 0.10 off of his personal best. Senior Mark Harrison, who earned second in the 600-yard dash at the Big 12 Indoor Championships, placed third in a career-best time of 52.02. Harrison’s previous best was 52.04.

 

All four Huskers entered in the men’s 110-meter hurdles advanced to Saturday’s final, including senior Richard Davidson Jr., who placed second in 13.92 during his preliminary heat. Davidson finished as the first collegiate athlete. Fellow senior Nenad Loncar came in just behind in third place with a time of 14.11. Junior Courtney Jones (fifth) and sophomore Aaron Ross (ninth) also advanced with respective marks of 14.17 and 14.34. Ross’ time bested his previous career low of 14.46.

 

The NU men’s distance crew takes the stage late tonight with seniors Kyle Doperalski and Paul Wilson competing in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and Eric Rasmussen participating in the 10,000-meter run. The steeplechase is scheduled to conclude around 10 p.m. central, with the 10,000 meters finishing up sometime after midnight.

 

Several Huskers will see action Saturday as the Stanford Invitational continues at 1:45 p.m. Nebraska athletes will also compete in the UNK Invitational in Kearney, Neb., tomorrow beginning at 10 a.m.